Binder for perforated leaves



April 1966 W. W SEXTON 3,246,653

BINDER FOR PERFORATED LEAVES Filed Aug. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [MENTORVl i/h'am [4/ SGXfon ATTORNEYS April 19, 1966 w. w. SEXTON 3,246,653

BINDER FOR PERFORATED LEAVES Filed Aug. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [JVVENT OR United States Patent Ofiice 3,246,653 Patented Apr. 19, 19663,246,653 BINDER FUR PERFUTRATED LEAVES William Wait Sexton, North YorkTownship, Gntario, Canada (1% Maxorne Ava, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada)Filed Aug. d, 1962, Ser. No. 215,812 2 flaims. (Cl. 125 -41) Thisinvention relates to improvements in binders for perforated leaves, andthe application is a continuationinpart of my United States patentapplication No. 32,365, filed May 27, 1960, now abandoned.

It is common practice to use stiff binder rings of fixed diameter toretain perforated leaves in loose leaf and book form. Such bindersrequire rings considerably larger in diameter than the combinedthickness of the leaves they bind in order to provide free movement ofthe leaves around the rings and reduce tearing of the leaves at theirperforations. Large rings have the disadvantage of increasing thethickness of the binder along the bound edge resulting in very unevenstacking and waste space when storing. Another disadvantage of usingrings of fixed diameter is their inability to adjust to varying numbersof leaves.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a binding band forperforated leaves and covers which automatically contracts in diameterwhen the covers are closed, to bind the leaves closely together for evenstacking and compact storage.

A further object of this invention is to provide a resilient bindingband which will pull closely against the covers when the covers areclosed without any detrimental effect on the leaf transportingproperties of the binding band.

A further object of this invention is to provide a binding band whichautomatically expands in diameter when the covers of the binder areopened to allow free movement of the leaves around the band, to reducetearing at the leaf perforations.

It is a further object of this invention to provide the binder band withreleasable and adjustable attachments to one or both covers forinserting and removing perforated leaves and for adjusting the binderband to varying numbers of leaves.

A further object of this invention is to provide couplings for sectionsof binder bands so that the sections can be separated and reconnectedfor the insertion and withdrawal of perforated leaves.

A further object of this invention is to prevent parallel edges ofleaves and leaf perforations from catching and tearing when leaves arebeing turned.

A further object of this invention is to provide a binder which willallow the top cover and leaves to be turned around and under the bottomcover through a complete circle.

A further object of this invention is to provide leaves with speciallyshaped perforations for easy threading with the binder bands and also tofacilitate registering the leaves to keep them neatly bound.

Other objects of this invention such as simplicity of construction andresulting savings in cost of production will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a binder embodying thisinvention and shown in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the binder illustrated inFIG. 1 shown in an almost closed position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a binder embodying thisinvention showing an alternative means of looping a binder band and ofreleasable attachment of an end of the binder band to the cover;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a binder embodying thisinvention illustrating another means of releasable attachment of one endof a binder band to the binder cover;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further alternative meansof releasable attachment of one end of a binder band of circularcross-section to a binder cover by means of a spring clip; FIG. 5 alsoshows leaves with egg shaped perforations for use with binder bands ofcircular cross-section;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another means ofreleasable attachment of one end of a binder band;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of sections of a binder bandillustrating a means of joining such sections;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a means of joining sectionsof a flat binder band;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan View of a leaf or cover illustrating atrapezoidal perforation and a notched edge;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of two binders of different thicknessesstacked one upon the other; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a binder in an open condition.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a smooth resilient elongated band isattached to a pair of binder covers 2 and 3 and is looped throughperforations 5 and 6 adjacent one edge of the binder and throughperforations in loose leaves 7 between the covers, the perforations ofthe leaves registering with the perforations 5 and 6 when the covers areclosed. Referring to FIG. 2 it will be seen the diameter of the loopformed by the band automatically contracts as the covers 2 and 3 areclosed to lie against the interposed leaves 7. The contracting andexpanding action of the binder band loop, as the covers move togetherand apart provides a tight binding when the covers are closed (FIG. 10),and free movement of the leaves around the expanded loop when the coversare opened (FIG. 11).

The ends of the band 11 may be permanently attached to covers 2 and 3where perforated leaves are to be permanently bound in book form, or theattachments of band 1 may be releasable or adjustable or both for looseleaf binding. The attachments are adjacent the edge of the binder aboutwhich the covers swing. The resilient band 1 may be made of flat stripmaterial, FIG. 2, or of material having a tubular or substantially roundcrosssec-tion as at 1A, FIG. 5.

Referring in more detail to the drawings herein, the adjustableexpanding loose leaf binder of FIG. 1 has a flat Smooth resilient band1, with end 4 permanently attached to cover 2 by any suitable means suchas by stapling or glueing. The resilient band ll defines a loopextending outward from its attached end 4 through perforation 5 in cover2, thence inward through perforation 6 in cover 3, thence throughperforations of the leaves '7 and again through perforations 5 and 6 toan adjustable and releasable attachment 13 for its end 8. The attachment13 for the end 8 is made of a thin flexible strip 11 coated on its undersurface with non-drying pressure sensitive adhesive. The strip 11 isattached at its end 12 to the inside of cover 3 with its own saidadhesive or by other suitable means. A portion of the opposite end ofstrip 11 is folded under and fastened with its own said adhesive to forma lifting tab 14. Small cuts 11A at the sides of the strip 11 formanchors 12A against complete removal of the fastener when lifted by itstab. The length of the loop formed by the binder band 1 (and thus therelative positions of the covers) is varied to accommodate differentnumbers of leaves by adjusting the point along the length of the freeend 8 at which the band is held between the adhesive surface of thestrip 11 and the 3 cover 3. Thus, as indicated in FIG. 10, the size ofthe loop can be indefinitely adjusted within the limits of the length ofthe band to accommodate a large number of leaves, as in the top binderof FIG. 10, or a smaller number of leaves, as in the bottom hinder, thecovers of the binder being free to lie flat against the leaves despitevariations in the numbers of the leaves, so that several binders caneasily be stacked one upon another. If more leaves are to be insertedinto a binder, the loops are lengthened, thus adjusting the relativepositions of the covers to accommodate the additional leaves. Preferablythe lengths of the bands between the points of attachment to the coversare such that when the covers are closed the bands are pulled flat ornearly flat against the outside surfaces of the covers.

Each binder illustrated in FIG. has two bands 1 for binding the coversand leaves together, and the bands 1 constitute a hinge which is thesole connections between the covers. The bands must be sufficientlyflexible that the covers of a binder can lie closed against the leavesof the binder without swinging apart, as in the case of the top binderin FIG. 10, and the bands must also be sufficiently flexible to allowthe covers to be swung away from each other through the position of FIG.1 to a position where the covers are back to back. Furthermore thematerial of the bands should be capable of repeated flexing withoutbreaking. On the other hand, the bands must be sufiiciently stiff andresilient that as the covers are swung open from the closed position theloops expand, retaining a generally circular form rather than merelycollapsing or folding upon themselves. Bands of dimensional (highdensity) polyethylene, or of polyester film (sold for example by E. I.du Pont de Nemours & Co. under the trademark Mylar), have been found tohave these desired properties. The bands should have smooth surfaces soas to pass freely through the perforations without catching.

If one wished to make the cover 2 of the same material as the bands, thelatter could of course be attached to the cover as integral parts of thecover.

As shown in FIG. 1, a smooth releasing base 3A is cemented to the cover3 or applied as a varnish under the adhesive strip 11 to provide, forthe cover 3, a smooth compact surface which prevents the adhesive of thestrip 11 from picking up loosely packed fibres from cover 3 when thecover is made of cardboard and the like. This will lengthen the usefullife of the attachment 13. This attachment could be located on theoutside of cover 3 to hold the end 8 without passing it throughperforation 6.

An alternative attachment for the end 8 is shown in FIG. 3, in which anaperture 10 base been cut out of the cover 3, and a piece of tape issecured to the outside of the cover with its adhesive side facinginwardly, the adhesive being a non-drying pressure sensitive adhesive.The end 8 is received within the depression, formed by the aperture 10,and the end becomes secured to the adhesive at the bottom of thedepression. The aperture 10 is widened at 10A for inserting the fingernail when releasing the end 8. If end 8 extends past the depression 10it can be gripped with the fingers. The end 4, FIG. 3, can be glued orstapled adjacent the edge of cover 2 as shown in full lines or it can bewidened and perforated for passage of the band 1 and attached to theupper or lower side of cover 2 as shown in broken lines.

A11 alternative releasable and adjustable attachment for one or bothends of binder 1 is shown in FIG. 4, where the end 8 is attached tocover 3. Spaced apart notches 15 are provided along the length of one orboth sides of end 8 and are adapted to engage in a longitudinal slot 17located in cover 3, adjacent to binder band perforation 6, said slot 17being closed at both ends and extending, away from the edge of thebinder about which the covers swing, parallel to the longitudinal axisof end 8 when in attached position. The slot 17 is of a length greaterthan the width of the band 1 and of a maximum width less than the widthof the band save at the notches. To attach end 8 to cover 3 the end 8 ofthe resilient band is twisted so that its width is along the length ofthe slot, and the end is advanced through slot 17 until a desired notch15 is reached. The end is then released and it twists approximatelydegrees into normal position across the slot 17 to engage a pair of itsprojections 16 with the cover 3, as shown in FIG. 4. The diameter of theloop defined by the binder band 1 is easily varied by locating thedesired notches 15 in slot 17. A single notch may be placed at one endof a binder strip for a releasable attachment in a slot 17 in one coverand a series of notches placed at the opposite end for an adjustable andreleasable attachment in a slot 17 in the other cover for an inexpensivebinder kit.

A releasable and adjustable attachment for a resilient binder band 1A ofcircular or tubular cross section is shown in FIG. 5 in which a springclip 18 is attached to the cover 3 and extends across an aperture 19 incover 3 to hold the binder end 8A at any position for adjusting thediameter of the loop of the band 1A. FIG. 6 shows a spring clip 36 foradjustably attaching, to the cover 3, the end 8 of a band formed as afiat strip. The clip has prongs 37 embedded in the cover and a pressedout reinforcing finger 38 extending through the cover, the prongs andfinger fixing the clip to the cover 3. The clip can be lifted at itsfree end 39 to release the binder band from the cover.

Referring to FIG. 7, a means is shown of joining and separating sectionsof a binder band 1A of tubular crosssection (as in FIG. 5) and made ofresilient plastic material. A metal pin 20, with a plurality of sharpannular rings or projections 22, is provided coaxially with the sectionsto grip the interior tubular surfaces of the sections by indentinggrooves 21 in the resilient material of the band 1A, as the pin istwisted into the sections. The sections can thus be connected end to endby the pin to provide a loop that is free of lateral projections thatmight catch on the covers or leaves, and the frictional gripping actionof the pin increases as the loop of the band 1A is tightened and itsdiameter decreased upon covers 2 and 3 being closed. A strong pull onthe sections will, however, release the pin from at least one of thesections to permit the insertion or removal of binder leaves. Theplastic material of the hand must of course be sufficiently tough thatit is not torn by the removal and insertion of the pin.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative device for joining and releasing sections ofa binder band made of resilient fiat material similar to the band inFIG. 1. It consists of a clamp having a lower diamond-shaped plate 24,of stiif material, with upwardly bent teeth 25 and 26 and two connectingsections 27 merging upward into a split circular top plate 28 having adownwardly projecting tooth 29. The plates 24 and 28 constitute minorlateral projections of the completed loop. One section 30 of the binderband is held permanently between top plate 28 and bottom plate 24 bymeans of teeth 29 and 25, fitting into the corresponding grooves in thesection 34). The other section 31 of the binder band is detachably heldin position between top plate and lower plate 24 by tooth 26 of thebottom plate fitting into a corresponding groove in section 31. Lateralmovement of the two sections 30 and 31 relative to each other isprevented by notching the section 30 to fit the pointed end of section31. The sections 30 and 31 can be separated by pressing downward onplate 28 and lifting section 31 free of tooth 26. The sections areconnected by inserting section 31 be tween the plates 24 and 28 in adownward direction till the tooth 26 engages its corresponding groove insection 31.

Referring to FIG. 9, a trapezoidal or tapered perforation 33 can be usedto assist in threading loose leaves and covers with the band end 8. Thewider portion of the perforation provides for easier threading whenleaves are out of register, while the narrower portion 33A nearest thebound edge 7A of the leaf or cover is made equal to the width of thebinder band and serves to register all the leaves after they arethreaded on the binder band, simply by holding the binder with its boundedge upward. An egg shaped perforation 40, FIG. 5, or a large and asmall circular perforation overlapping may be used for bands of circularcross-section so that adjacent the bound edge the perforations conformto the size of the bands. It will be noted that in FIG. 9, the edge 33Aof the perforation 33 is parallel to the edge 7A of the leaf, the edge7A being along the bound edge of the binder. Where the edges of theperforations nearest to such edges of the leaves are parallel to suchedges of the leaves it is found that, as the leaves are turned, there isa tendency for such edges of some leaves to catch such parallel edges ofthe perforations of other leaves. This tendency can be avoided bynotching the edges of the leaves adjacent the edges 33A, as at 35, FIG.8, the notches decreasing in width from the edges of the leaves towardsthe perforations, and the notches at their widest points being widerthan the adjacent edges 33A, of the perforations.

What I claim is:

1. A binder comprising a pair of covers, each cover having at least twoperforations adjacent one edge of said cover to register withperforations of variable numbers of leaves between the covers, and atleast two elongated bands constituting a hinge which is the soleconnection between the covers, each band being rigidly attached to onecover adjacent the perforated edge, each band defining a loop extendingfrom the point of attachment of the band to said cover outward from saidcover, thence passing inward through one of the perforations of thesecond cover to extend through perforations of leaves, thence passingoutward through a perforation of the first cover past the point ofattachment of the band to said first cover, thence passing inwardthrough the perforation of the second which was previously passedthrough, and thence passing through a releasable clasp attached to theinside of said second cover through which said band is stiflly slidablein the direction of its length to allow infinite adjustment of the loopdiameter within the limits of the length of the band, the band beingsufficiently flexible that the covers can lie parallel to each other atdifferent distances apart when closed against different numbers ofleaves and can swing away from each other about the hinge, the bandsbeing capable of repeated flexing without breaking but the bands beingalso sufliciently stiff and resilient that the loops expand as thecovers swing away from each other, and said bands having smooth loopsurfaces to pass freely through the perforations of the covers and ofthe leaves.

2. A binder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasable clasp is athin flexible strip coated on its undersurface with a non-dryingpressure sensitive adhesive, one end of said strip being attached to theinside of the second cover, the other end of said strip having a liftingtab.

References Eited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 826,460 7/1906Wirt 12941 1,037,314 9/1912 Proudfit 12941 1,556,049 10/ 1925 Trussell1291 1,733,503 10/1929 Maas et a1. 12941 1,776,376 9/ 1930 Sadtler 129412,063,548 12/1936 Greer 1291 2,495,180 1/1950 Phillips 1291 2,910,06810/1959 Lane 1291 2,911,977 11/1959 French 12941 FOREIGN PATENTS1,081,968 6/1954 France.

438,677 11/1935 Great Britain.

453,568 9/1936 Great Britain.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, JEROME SCHNALL,

Examiners.

1. A BINDER COMPRISING A PAIR OF COVERS, EACH COVER HAVING AT LEAST TWOPERFORATIONS ADJACENT ONE EDGE OF SAID COVER TO REGISTER WITHPERFORATIONS OF VARIABLE NUMBERS OF LEAVES BETWEEN THE COVERS, AND ATLEAST TWO ELONGATED BANDS CONSTITUTING A HINGE WHICH IS THE SOLECONNECTION BETWEEN THE COVERS, EACH BAND BEING RIGIDLY ATTACHED TO ONECOVER ADJACENT THE PERFORATED EDGE, EACH BAND DEFINING A LOOP EXTENDINGFROM THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE BAND TO SAID COVER OUTWARD FROM SAIDCOVER, THENCE PASSING INWARD THROUGH ONE OF THE PERFORATIONS OF THESECOND COVER TO EXTEND THROUGH PERFORATIONS OF LEAVES, THENCE PASSINGOUTWARD THROUGH A PERFORATION OF THE FIRST COVER PAST THE POINT OFATTACHMENT OF THE BAND TO SAID FIRST COVER, THENCE PASSING INWARDTHROUGH THE PERFORATION OF THE SECOND WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY PASSEDTHROUGH, AND THENCE PASSING THROUGH A RELEASABLE CLASP ATTACHED TO THEINSIDE OF SAID SECOND COVER THROUGH WHICH SAID BAND IS STIFFY SLIDABLEIN THE DIRECTION OF ITS LENGTH TO ALLOW INFINITE ADJUSTMENT OF THE LOOPDIAMETER WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE LENGTH OF THE BAND, THE BAND BEINGSUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE THAT THE COVERS CAN LIE PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER ATDIFFERENT DISTANCES APART WHEN CLOSED AGAINST DIFFERENT NUMBERS OFLEAVES AND CAN SWING AWAY FROM EACH OTHER ABOUT THE HINGE, THE BANDSBEING CAPABLE OF REPEATED FLEXING WITHOUT BREAKING BUT THE BANDS BEINGALSO SUFFICIENTLY STIFF AND RESILIENT THAT THE LOOPS EXPAND AS THECOVERS SWING AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, AND SAID BANDS HAVING SMOOTH LOOPSURFACES TO PASS FREELY THROUGH THE PERFORATIONS OF THE COVERS AND OFTHE LEAVES.